Train cars carrying crude oil derail, burn north of Seattle

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — Seven train cars carrying crude oil derailed Tuesday and five caught fire, sending a large black plume of smoke into the sky north of Seattle close to the Canadian border, authorities said.

California sees near-record deaths, modest signs of hope

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California had a near record number of daily coronavirus deaths as pandemic cases strained hospitals and reduced normal intensive care space to a record low, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday, yet there were faint hints that residents may be heeding medical officials’ increasingly desperate calls for caution during the holidays.

Lamont urges residents to stay close to home for holidays

While “things have calmed down” since the uptick in COVID-19 infections following Thanksgiving gatherings, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont urged residents on Wednesday to limit their interactions with family and friends over the Christmas and New Year's holidays to prevent another surge.

Politicians and vaccines: Set an example or cut in line?

WASHINGTON (AP) — As the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations trickled out across the United States, many members of Congress lined up at the Capitol physician's office to get inoculated.

Georgia US Senate race: Ossoff again campaigning in overtime

ATLANTA (AP) — Though still chasing his first victory, Jon Ossoff is no stranger to the pressure of campaigning in overtime — this time for one of two crucial U.S. Senate seats that will determine control of the chamber.

Federal officials investigate fiery oil train derailment

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — Federal and local authorities were investigating a fiery oil car train derailment north of Seattle near where two people were arrested last month and accused of attempting a terrorist attack on train tracks to disrupt plans for a natural gas pipeline.

Turkish court convicts former editor on terror charges

ISTANBUL (AP) — A Turkish court on Wednesday convicted the former editor-in-chief of opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet on espionage and terror-related charges over a 2015 news story, a verdict the exiled journalist said exemplified the pressures on Turkish media.

Legals for December, 24 2020

The autopsy, a fading practice, revealed secrets of COVID-19

NEW YORK (AP) — The COVID-19 pandemic has helped revive the autopsy.

Anti-virus controls strand merchant sailors aboard ships

BEIJING (AP) — The crew of the U.S.-owned Horizon Spirit expect to spend Christmas looking after their 800-foot (240-meter) long container ship in a southern Chinese shipyard, barred, like thousands of sailors worldwide, from going ashore due to coronavirus restrictions.

Historic heart of Los Angeles on life support from COVID-19

LOS ANGELES (AP) — For nine nights culminating on Christmas Eve, the oldest street in Los Angeles typically comes alive with a festive re-enactment of the nativity story, as children playing Mary and Joseph go door to door seeking shelter where she can give birth to Jesus.

California to become 1st state to top 2 million virus cases

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California's Christmas Eve was marked by pleas to stay home for the holidays and a grim milestone as it was poised to become the first state to top 2 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

Democrats face a turnout test in Georgia's Senate runoffs

ATLANTA (AP) — In the first week of early voting for Georgia’s Senate runoff election, Casie Yoder parked at a polling location in Cobb County and loaded miniature hand sanitizer bottles, knitted hats, hand warmers and face masks into a collapsible wagon cart.

Young scores 37 as Hawks pound Bulls 124-104 in opener

CHICAGO (AP) — Trae Young was tough to stop in his first two NBA seasons. Surrounded by more talent than ever before, he could become a nightmare for the league in his third year.

A look at the 29 people Trump pardoned or gave commutations

WASHINGTON (AP) — For a second night in a row, President Donald Trump issued a round of pardons and commutations in the final weeks of his presidency, giving full pardons to his former campaign chairman, his son-in-law’s father and another of his allies convicted in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.

Trump threatens COVID relief bill, testing loyalty of GOP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Threatening to tank Congress’ massive COVID relief and government funding package, President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger aid checks for Americans is forcing Republicans traditionally wary of such spending into an uncomfortable test of allegiance.

New round of Trump clemency benefits Manafort, other allies

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday pardoned more than two dozen people, including former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law, in the latest wave of clemency to benefit longtime associates and supporters.

AP News in Brief at 9:04 p.m. EST

Trump pardons former campaign chairman Paul Manafort

Police: Man fatally shot receptionist, himself in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — Two people shot Tuesday at a medical building in Vancouver, Washington, have died, authorities said.

Dosunmu, Cockburn lead No. 18 Illinois past Penn State 98-81

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Illinois coach Brad Underwood isn’t going to change his mind or his tune all season, especially if Ayo Dosunmu keeps playing like this.